OPITO Adds Electrical Engineering Course to Flexible Learning Portfolio

OPITO - The Oil & Gas Academy has added a third discipline to the portfolio of flexible learning courses for the energy sector with the launch of an Electrical Engineering Systems series aimed at raising the bar for skilled technicians in the UK industry.

Petroleum Open Learning (POL) offers an easily accessible way for people from all walks of life to gain a recognized qualification in the upstream oil and gas industry.

The self-learning tool, which is used by individuals and employers in more than 15 countries around the world, enhances technical knowledge with candidates able to tailor their learning around the work patterns, providing maximum benefit and cost efficiencies for their companies and themselves.

The new course complements the two existing disciplines: Oil and Gas Well Technology which is aimed at those interested in a career in drilling and well completions, and Petroleum Processing Technology, for those considering production operating.

It has been designed to help anyone with an interest in the oil industry achieve a broad understanding of the underpinning knowledge relevant to the electrical engineering maintenance sector and the theory, operation and practical application of a representative selection of electrical equipment and systems used in the oil and gas extraction industry.

Modules include electrical safety; electrical hazardous area equipment; electric motors; generation, distribution and control of electrical supplies; and electrical protection systems.

Richard Bain, the Academy's technical sales manager, said, "The skills and competency of our workforce plays a vital role in ensuring the UK keeps its place at the head of the global pack, both in terms of those who are considering oil and gas for the first time and those already in the industry who are looking to maximize their career opportunities.

"As the focal point for skills, learning and workforce development in oil and gas, we have responded to the need for more electrical engineering specialists with this tailored course which will equip participants with industry-ready skills they can take out into the workplace."

All courses are studied in modular format with students setting their own pace. As such they are an ideal way to gain an industry-recognized City & Guilds qualification. In the 15 years the scheme has been running, more than 900 people have completed the courses with hundreds more boosting their skills sets by undertaking individual modules.

Companies can use relevant modules individually to help augment their own training and competency schemes. Dozens of blue chip companies such as Shell, BP, Marathon, Chevron, TAQA, BW Offshore, Wood Group, Maersk Oil and SBM Group amongst others have benefited from POL's flexible learning modules.

Dick Leitch, operations coach at Shell, said, "Shell require their technicians to complete the 10 or 12 Petroleum Open Learning units as this provides the candidates with an excellent in depth understanding of the different operations processes and instils within the technicians a learning culture and the need to deliver."
 


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